NHL Roundup : Potvin Ties Orr Record in 7-3 Victory Over Flyers

Veteran Denis Potvin is about to erase Bobby Orr from the record books. However, the star of the New York Islanders is not claiming he is the best defenseman of all-time.

Potvin, who broke Orr’s record for most points by a defenseman several weeks ago, scored his 270th goal Tuesday night at Uniondale, N.Y. to help the Islanders beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 7-3.

Orr had 270 goals in 657 games, a number of which he played while hobbled by knee injuries. This was Potvin’s 897th NHL game.

“Bobby Orr will always be the greatest player in the game,” Potvin said. “My goal was to be the next best defenseman (behind Orr) and, maybe I’ve accomplished that. But it is a good feeling just to be compared with Bobby.”

It was the second win in a row for the Islanders over the Flyers, leaders of the tough Patrick Division. While Potvin drew the cheers for tying Orr’s record, the star in the two wins over the Flyers was Bryan Trottier.

Trottier scored the winning goal at the final buzzer Friday night at Philadelphia. In this one, he made sure it didn’t go to the wire. Trottier scored his 22nd goal and assisted on four others.

Trottier set up Potvin for his 12th goal of the season. Linemate Mike Bossy scored twice with the help of Trottier and has 33 on his way to 50 for a record ninth consecutive season.

“I really believe we are starting to play solid hockey,” said Trottier, who has five goals and seven assists in the last six games. “Beating this club twice in a row is quite a feat.”

With the victory, the Islanders took over sole possession of third place in the Patrick Division. They have 49 points but trail the Flyers by 17 points.

“We still have a long way to go,” Trottier said, “but if we keep improving, we may surprise somebody in the playoffs. Some people think we are too old. I don’t think so.”

The Islanders, who average 26.3 years, are the oldest team in the NHL. Most of the players were on the teams that opened the 1980s with four consecutive Stanley Cups.

Washington 7, Minnesota 5--Dave Christian scored one goal and assisted on two others as the Capitals scored four goals in a three-minute flurry in the first period at Landover, Md.

The spurt gave the Capitals a 4-0 lead before the game was seven minutes old. But the North Stars battled back and trailed by only one goal with eight minutes left in the game.

The Capitals, who moved to within six points of the Flyers, didn’t clinch the win until Bobby Carpenter scored into an empty net with nine seconds left.

Vancouver 5, New Jersey 3--Tony Tanti had a hat trick at Vancouver to lead the Canucks over the Devils. The Canucks are in last place in the Smythe Division but are only one point out of fourth place, the final playoff spot.